Evaluation of Obesity and Nutritional Status by Age among Low-income Women aged over 20 -Using Data from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-

Abstract

【The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity, dietary habits, and nutritional status by age among low-income women, using data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007~2009). Subjects were 8,356 women aged 20 and over. The subjects were classified into four groups by age. Dietary data from 24-hr recall methods were used to analyze nutritional status. The prevalence of obesity in the 50~64 years age group was significantly higher than those of the other age groups. Among age groups, malnutrition was the highest in the 65-and-over age group. It appears that women in the 20~29 and 65-and-over age groups were the highest nutritional risk. The percentage of carbohydrates in total energy intake was higher and the percentages of protein and fat were lower in the 65-and-over age group than other groups. Frequency of skipping breakfast was lower in women aged 65-and-over, and moderate physical activity significantly decreased with increasing age. Awareness of dietary guidelines was higher in women aged 30~49 years than other groups, whereas it was lower in those aged 65-and-over years. Adherence to dietary guidelines of 'eating a variety of foods from each food group' was significantly lower in women aged 65-and-over years than those of other groups. However adherence to dietary guidelines of 'eating breakfast everyday with a pleasant mind' was significantly lower in women aged 20~29 years than those of other groups. Therefore, this study shows that low income women have various nutritional problems by age group, and we should support a tailored approach to improve their nutritional status.】